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IL‐15, a novel T cell growth factor that shares activities and receptor components with IL‐2
Author(s) -
Giri Judith G.,
Anderson Dirk M.,
Kumaki Satoru,
Park Linda S.,
Grabstein Kenneth H.,
Cosman David
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.57.5.763
Subject(s) - biology , common gamma chain , receptor , interleukin 15 , cytokine receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , cytokine , phenotype , signal transduction , interleukin , immunology , interleukin 21 receptor , gene , genetics
Interleukin 15 is a newly discovered cytokine that shares biological activities with IL‐2 and, like IL‐2, is a member of the four‐helix bundle cytokine family. We have shown that IL‐15 shares components of the receptor for IL‐2: the α chain of the IL‐2R is not required, but both the β and γ chains are needed for EL‐15 mediated bioactivities. A defect in IL‐15 signaling may therefore contribute to the phenotype of X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiency in humans, resulting from mutations in the common γ chain. Differential ability of cells to bind and respond to IL‐2 and IL‐15 suggested the existence of an additional IL‐15 specific receptor component. We identified an IL‐15 specific binding protein (IL‐15Rα) on a murine T cell and isolated the corresponding cDNA. The IL‐15Rα is not a member of the hematopoietin receptor superfamily, but is structurally related to the α chain of the IL‐2R. Differences in the expression pattern of EL‐15 and its receptor compared to the EL‐2 system suggest unique in vivo roles for IL‐15. J. Leukoc. Biol. 57: 763–766; 1995.